drug driving

[Wideboy]

have they introduced them machines that can tell if your on drugs yet?

twice in this month I've been driving/riding and I've caught a strong whiff of wacky backy for a few miles:confused:

BTW before anyone says its me, i don't touch the stuff:p

[neio79]

no they do road side sobriety tests like the yank police!!

[ThEGr33k]

Im not sure mate I think they need blood/hair to test it so it would take a while to get the evidence. Not sure.

[flibble]

Dunno.. but did a stint in a job where I was driving thru on eurostar most weekends from home to Netherlands and our pool car was quite regularly stop-checked. They used to go over the steering wheel with some sort of sponge stuck to the end of a stick resembling a ruler. Can only guess that must have been some sort of test for it??

[Wideboy]

Dunno.. but did a stint in a job where I was driving thru on eurostar most weekends from home to Netherlands and our pool car was quite regularly stop-checked. They used to go over the steering wheel with some sort of sponge stuck to the end of a stick resembling a ruler. Can only guess that must have been some sort of test for it??

yeah they did this in Southampton city centre last summer surprising how many cars where coming up positive

[neio79]

yeah they did this in Southampton city centre last summer surprising how many cars where coming up positive
not conclusive really is it, anyone from a mate to a mechanic can handle the steering wheel!!

[Wideboy]

not conclusive really is it, anyone from a mate to a mechanic can handle the steering wheel!!

yeah that's what they where saying, i think they did it for drug awareness or something like that

[dissuade]

in germany they make you stop and pee in a cup to test for drugs. i have lost count of the number of times i have had to give the officers a pee sample being des after a night out.
it's a good idea though. not very pleasant, however.

xx

[flibble]

in germany they make you stop and pee in a cup to test for drugs. i have lost count of the number of times i have had to give the officers a pee sample being des after a night out.
it's a good idea though. not very pleasant, however.

xx

So do they bring a portable loo with them if you're a girl.. lol

[dissuade]

So do they bring a portable loo with them if you're a girl.. lol

sadly, no. and they stand over you when you pee too, just so you can't "fake" it. unnerving.

[dizzyblonde]

mmmm can you imagine how many hairy bikers they could catch after a huge rally??
I've ridden out of a few and round the corner theres been Mr. plod in his car doing random checks for hungover riders over the limit still, on a sunday...as if its baad enough trying to put your tent and gear back on the bike...sneeky copper hiding behind bush!!!
But it needs to be done, and my conscience is clear, unlike many I met over the years

i'd like to see police do random checks on Vauxhall Corsa's round here for bot drink and drugs....they'd have a field day------que stereotype police

[lukemillar]

I saw a program about drug driving. One of the techniques they showed the police using was to get the person suspected to look at the policeman's finger. The police would then move it in front of the suspects face and then towards their nose. If their eyes didn't cross as the finger got closer to the suspects nose then it's an indicator they have been smoking weed.

Apparently stoned people can't cross their eyes!

[Bluepete]

I saw a program about drug driving. One of the techniques they showed the police using was to get the person suspected to look at the policeman's finger. The police would then move it in front of the suspects face and then towards their nose. If their eyes didn't cross as the finger got closer to the suspects nose then it's an indicator they have been smoking weed.

Apparently stoned people can't cross their eyes!

We use a set of Impairment tests, very similar to the ones you see on the telly in the USA. They are designed to divert the conscious mind away from what the body is instructed to do, ie, occupy the mind with a task and observe the body during the test for recognised reactions to drugs. If the driver fails, they will be arrested and seen by a doctor. That doctor has to decide if the person is exhibiting a condition which MAY be due to the presence of a drug. If he/she decides the driver is exhibiting such a condition, a blood sample is taken and analysed. Only if all three components are in place; failed impairment test, doctor of the opinion they are exhibiting a condition due to the presence of a drug and a positive blood test for drugs, will the person be charged with drug driving.

I have never seen a machine for drug testing in the unit and as far as I know, there are no "limits" like alcohol limits with drugs, only that the drug or metabolite of the drug is present.

It's true, people under the influence of weed can't cross their eyes, however, it is not part of the standard tests and if carried out, renders the impairment test invalid.

[metalmonkey]

I did hear about a device coming out, but this is a while to come and traffic get it before repsonse teams, I hope to see something soon I'll check any way I'm doing an op with traffic soon.

Also bear in mind its not just illegal drugs you can done for drugs ur doctor gives can render you unfit for driving/riding and make you in play. So if you have been given drugs to ake to take make sure its ok to be on the road before taking it.

[El Saxo]

I did hear about a device coming out, but this is a while to come and traffic get it before repsonse teams, I hope to see something soon I'll check any way I'm doing an op with traffic soon.

Also bear in mind its not just illegal drugs you can done for drugs ur doctor gives can render you unfit for driving/riding and make you in play. So if you have been given drugs to ake to take make sure its ok to be on the road before taking it.

How would a person know about the prescribed drugs? I've seen some medicines that warn about operating heavy machinery etc but is this all the warning they give? I honestly wouldn't know which prescribed medicines would prevent me from driving, other than the ones that cause some kind of obvious side effect e.g. drowsiness.

[fat_brstd]

It's true, people under the influence of weed can't cross their eyes, however, it is not part of the standard tests and if carried out, renders the impairment test invalid.

Interested as to where you got this from cause im pretty sure I just managed it.

[phil24_7]

I can't cross my eye's and I don't smoke weed....... You got me worried now!!

[metalmonkey]

How would a person know about the prescribed drugs? I've seen some medicines that warn about operating heavy machinery etc but is this all the warning they give? I honestly wouldn't know which prescribed medicines would prevent me from driving, other than the ones that cause some kind of obvious side effect e.g. drowsiness.

I would just ask the doctor, when given drugs is it okay to drive on them? But you can tell wheter your fit on to drive/ride. I was taking some meds last year, I felt terriable after taking them, so I knew would be driving anyway.

[Pedrosa]

We have the drug test machine here in Spain. A bit bizaare really when so much of their other traffic education is so archaic!

[Daimo]

Interesting....

So drugs can stay in your system for up to a month. Which would make you a drug driver, even though theres no effects on the person.

I also read a report that made me laugh, from a police officer......

Drug tests arn't always accurate because peopel who regulary take drugs have a bigger resistance and can pass the test....

So if these people can pass the test, the surley they are fit to drive? As they are passing the test?

Also, someones mentioned about passing through Europe. What if you had stopped in Holland, or even driven there. Your not under the influance, but its still in your system, so theoretically can be arrested and charged? Even though where you were taking the drug it is legal.


Very very grey area. I don't agree with drug driving, but wheres the limit? I.E a joint will have an effect of about an hour, maybe 2-3. After which, no more effects, but it stays in your system......

How can they enforce this?

Whats the difference between prescribed drugs, as some of these can be far worse?

Also, I have know friends who take no drugs, who have gone to a club, been checked with one of those funky machines, and found to have had contact with drugs, yet they have never touched them. Possibly by the glass they were drinking from (previous glass user, even after being washed), door handles, it could ahve been got from anywhere...

Any officers clear any of these question up for us?

[SoulKiss]

Also, someones mentioned about passing through Europe. What if you had stopped in Holland, or even driven there. Your not under the influance, but its still in your system, so theoretically can be arrested and charged? Even though where you were taking the drug it is legal.

You miss the point with this bit, they are not talking about arresting due to having at one time taken the drug.

I am guessing that stage 2 involving a doctor to assess you would stop the blood test if you were not actually under the effects at the time.

I also think that, counter-intuitively (like many laws in this country), it is probably not illegal to take any drug, its the possesion of it in a useable form (so not counting in the bloodstream) that is illegal.

[Paul the 6th]

As for the whole "it could ahve been got from anywhere..." when traces are found - that could be why it's taking so long to implement a fail safe system a case can be proved beyond all reasonable doubt.

I think the main thing for people who drink/drug drive is their whole attitude to the act of driving under the influence. It's not about whether you'll kill or seriously injure someone if you decide to ride or drive, it's about not getting caught & points & banned.

so if they're going to do it anyway,the only way to hammer the message home = harsher penalties? Then the number of people who do get caught serve as an example to others maybe?

All I know is if I'm even having one drink, I'll get a taxi.

Think I learned it all from my brother. He had his licence, had a car, everything, and completely took the **** out of the whole system. 3 drink drives, 3 speeding, 2 no insurance, 2 no licence, no tax, not wearing seatbelt, bald tyres, basically he ended up with about 36 points. In the end he got caught that many times, they gave him 6 weeks custodial. Now, he hasn't driven for 5 years, has to get the bus everywhere, and now he's trying to get his licence back. He has to pass a medical & he probably won't even get insured on a 1 litre 20 year old banger.

Me... 5 years NCB, no points, only ever had 2 producers. (I'm not gloating either... honest)

[Daimo]

Yeah don't get me wrong, im one of those dont drink/drug drive people, but im just confused as to who it is who sits there and makes up these rules and what legally you are allowed to do and not to do so you know your rights.

A copper pulled me for stopping in the cycle lane the other day, and told me it was MY responsibility to keep up with any law changes... But what are the laws. This miffed me off big time. Its not commen knowledge and I feel the police use this against you to scare you into admitting things (not me personnally, i just know other instances).

[ibishu]

It's true, people under the influence of weed can't cross their eyes, however, it is not part of the standard tests and if carried out, renders the impairment test invalid.

i think i am going to have to disagree with you there. i spent a substantial amount of my teenage years stoned, and i can say for a fact that it never stopped me from crossing my eyes. Yes it stopped my life, and my ability to dream and my lungs from working properly etc, which is why i do not smoke any more, but as a young silly girl, i could cross my eyes with no problems...

i think i should also point out for the record that i do not agree with drink/drug driving because of safety issues, and i don't do it! I just do not agree with this statement as i can prove wrong and i am interested to know where this statement came from.

[Bluepete]

I must admit, I was sceptical myself about the cross eyed thing too. It's just what we were told during training. Never bothered trying it on people roadside ('cos I shouldn't) and have no experience of personal use what so ever.
If people in the know tell me thay can, then so be it. Knowlege is always a good thing.

[Sid Squid]

Apparently stoned people can't cross their eyes!
Hmmmm... There are plenty of people who can't cross their eyes when completely unhindered by illegal drugs, myself included - not a good test, at best inconclusive.

[Daimo]

Cross eyes, i'll let you know in a bit as im home today :lol:

[Paul the 6th]

I'm sure the whole "unable to cross eyes" thing is in relation to exstacy. Your pupils dialate almost entirely so you have huge black holes where the iris should be. As a result, focusing on objects close up is practically impossible.

Think I saw it on a british traffic cops program. They stopped a guy who was buzzed out of his box and claimed he'd been working all night & had drunk loads of lucozade/taken pro plus etc. The copper held a biro about 15 inces in front of his face, instructed him to focus on the pen nib and to watch it move closer. Copper moved it closer slowly and as it got about 5 inches from his face, his eyes kind of reflexed and sprang back to a 'normal uncrossed' state. Also, I had a d1ckhead mate who was into his class a's and confirmed it.